Five days after Steve Johnson won his first major league game, he's been called back up to Orioles. Johnson was sent down to Triple-A to make room for third baseman Manny Machado, but he never made a start for Norfolk, instead getting called up for the injured Troy Patton.

Because Johnson was called up for a player going on the disabled list, the Orioles didn’t have to wait the usual 10 days to bring him back.

His role is unclear at this point. He will be available in long relief tonight, but also is an option to start Friday or Saturday depending on how much the Orioles need to use him over the next couple days.

In other pregame news:

** J.C. Romero, who was in the Orioles system earlier this season before playing for the Cleveland Indians' Triple-A team, replaces Miguel Socolovich in the bullpen. Romero is the lone lefthander in the Orioles bullpen, more or less replacing Patton.

In his stint with Triple-A Norfolk this season, Romero was 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA and and 13 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings over 17 appearances, but he was given the right to opt out of his contract after not being called up to Baltimore.

The Orioles traded minor league infielder Carlos Rojas for Romero on Monday, after the 36-year old appeared in eight games with Cleveland's Triple-A team in Columbus, Ohio, posting a 3.12 ERA.

** In order to make room for Romero on the club's 40-man roster, the Orioles designated right-handed reliever Miguel Socolovich, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after Sunday's game.

Socolovich pitched to a 6.97 ERA in eight appearances with the Orioles, but he was 4-0 with two saves and a 1.90 ERA in 28 appearances at Triple-A Norfolk this season, holding opposing hitters to a .179 batting average.

** Right-hander Jason Hammel threw off the mound Monday with success, the next step in his recovery from surgery on his right knee. Hammel is expected to travel with the team to Detroit later this week and will throw off the mound again on Thursday, potentially in a simulated game.

** Designated hitter Jim Thome, looking for a way to help the team while on the disabled list due to a herniated disk in his neck, will help scout Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy tonight in Double-A Bowie. Thome will then head home to rehab his neck before going to Sarasota, Fla.